He devoted his life to breeding livestock, most notably Guernsey and Holstein dairy cattle in conjunction with managing farm estates.

In 1960, Mr. Crabtree became manager of F.W. McCann's Golden Harvest Farm in Roxbury and Bridgewater, whose Guernsey herd exceeded 300. In the following 25 years the Golden Harvest Farm gained international recognition for production and show winnings.

He retired in 1985 after the sale of Golden Harvest Farm to developers. Through his efforts in the sale, most of the open land was left for preservation, and the remaining land was sold in lots of two or more acres.

Besides his wife, Mr. Crabtree is survived by two sons, Arthur of Roxbury and Peter of Manchester, Mass.; three daughters, Margo Blount of Aptos, Calif., Barbara Egan of New York, N.Y., and Elizabeth Hirsch of Oakland, Calif.; two granddaughters and four grandsons.

Cremation and burial will be private. A memorial service will be held at the Roxbury Congregational Church Monday at 10:30 a.m. The Colonial Funeral Home of New Milford is in charge of arrangements.